Crazies...market prep.

With something as big on our market calender as the Medieval Fayre, we want to be prepared.
And we want to have an awesome stall for you guys to visit and buy our awesome wares.

So preperations started about a month ago when we got our stall confirmation.
But it never feels like you'll be ready in time!

Heatherlyn (The Journeyman) and myself (Wonder Struck Inc), also started planning out our Spring market calender with "fixed" markets that have a monthly schedule going.
So we're not *just* preparing for the Medieval Fayre...

On 5 September (Friday), those around the Walkerville area will be able to find us at the monthly Night Market, which happens at a great indoor venue, The Shed.
We try go out of Winter to this market, which has a fantastic atmosphere and has amazing handmade stalls and food vendors.
They're also open every Saturday, though, because of other scheduled events we don't really make it out there as vendors on Saturdays.

6 September (Saturday) we'll be heading out to The Neigh-bour's Magical Medieval Fayre. This is taking place at Ball & All Driving range, right across from the Lion Park.
Alot of people haven't taken note, but it starts at 3pm.
Some on the events page have complained about it starting so late, but please be understanding to vendors coming from far and wide. (We ourselves live just over an hour away from this venue).
Some vendors go to great lengths with their setups and presentation, and have to often arrive about 2 hours before opening time of an event.
This all helps create the atmosphere for the event... so come join us from 3pm until late and enjoy it anyway (which we bet you will).

27 September (Saturday) we are aiming to be at Walkerville Farmer's Market.
Also, such a great atmosphere to this venue.
We will be aiming to make it our market at the end of every month (unless there's big events we can book into).
Even if handmade isn't your thing, this venue (like The Shed) has craft beer on tap, fresh food vendors and even farm fresh cheeses and organic fruits and veggies.
(Hence it being a farmers market).

.... but right now, still in August, we're busy with getting stock made/marked/packed.
I'll also be doing some MINOR custom modifications at our tables.
Specific length extension chains, longer chains, shorter chains.
You can also bring costume jewellery for MINOR repairs to us (replacing jump rings, resetting certain pieces, re gluing) which WILL carry a small fee if its not one of our items.

Then, some people I want to feature on the blog have already agreed to be "interviewed". So once I have the layout and questions ready to send to them, we'll be featuring some really really great handmade ladies.
Please bear with until then.

In the past few weeks I have also started sorting out the Wonder Struck Inc workroom/office.
Well... I didn't think it would look as bad as it does. I know I'm not even halfway with it and putting everything the way I want, but when I'm in neat freak mode it can be nerve wracking during the process.
Also finding alot of older pieces that I packed in a box as there was absolutely no interest in the past for them, and now that I've started uncovering them.... there's a flush of want for them. Go figure.
So reworking on those has commenced too.

Order books for supplies and customs is still closed.
Also, I'm waiting in anticipation for items to arrive from the States that I've ordered, in very limited quantities, with about 80% already booked/paid for.
Now its just the wait for their arrivals.
I'll be looking to re-open the order books probably just before our Spring markets. I'll only be taking 2 supply/custom orders at a time, until I can afford a trainee to come in and help me part time.

Shew, ok, didn't think I'd fit a blog post in this week, but here you are.
Now, back to sorting out and doing admin so I can start Monday off a bit more organised ;)
Have an absolutely fantastic Sunday, and week ahead.
Until the next blog post ;)

Sunday work and relax...

Another Sunday spent working...
Its crazy working for yourself sometimes, because work hours, become all hours.

Almost 2/3rds through with packing for the next market.
Though, not sure if I'm helping by adding a constant stream of new items while packing. But hey, the ideas just won't stop coming.
Necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches, earrings and some other bits are going to be filling the Wanderland tables:

5 September - we'll be at the Night Market at The Shed. 18h00 - 22h00
6 September - The Magical Medieval Fayre. 15h00 - late

Heatherlyn and I almost can't wait to be back out at markets, and we're even more excited because it'll be Spring!

For those waiting for the order books to open for resin supplies and customs, please be patient a bit longer.
As soon as these last 2 orders are done, there's alot on the blog TO-DO list that I want to get done before re-opening the order books.
So hold on a bit longer!

There's some new items coming in, in limited quantities. Go over to our Facebook to see some of what we're doing, even though our blog updates may be quiet.

See you in the next entry ;)

Organise, organise, mess...

A year and a half in this house, and my workroom has become the storage room...
So the last few days have been a mass of fulfilling orders, getting other freelance work sorted and trying to throw out junk and reorganise this workroom.

Its getting there. At least, that's what the 3 or so black bags outside are supposed to tell me. Sigh.

Then its to sort out a carefully layed out custom and supply order book, as these last 6 orders (not to mention customs) just flattened me.
Appreciating the business goes hand in hand with only sleeping 3 or 4 hours a night between life.
So... gotsta get that organised better.

Somehow I have managed to make even more stock in preperation for September markets, inbetween the mass of ...everything.
Then its on to packing and planning the last final details for The Night Market at The Shed (5 September) and our highly anticipated stall at The Magical Medieval Fayre (6 September).
Heatherlyn (from The Journeyman) and I are just too excited for words to see you at our stall again once we're out at markets again.

Then comes all the stuff I have been putting off...repeatedly.
Got some GREAT people to feature and great HOW TO's waiting.
Shew.
Working for yourself can be a bit rough...

Laters!

Markets...lots of them.

Well... Wanderland has decided on its first three Spring markets... And that's probably only so far in our diaries.

5 September - from 18:00 to 22:00
We'll be set up inside the wonderful Night Market at The Shed.

6 September - from 15:00 till late.
We will be at our highlight of the year (and because we get to dress up in jest). The 3rd annual Magical Medieval Fayre.
Go over to Webtickets to buy your tickets for the day. R20 entry and R10 per car.
It'll be worth it!

27 September - from 9:30 to 15:00
We will be out at The Walkerville Farmers Market.

July isn't even over yet, so the chances of adding to our September schedule is still possible.

Keep your eyes and diaries open.

Solar powered ...

I have probably lived in these parts for long enough to know what temperatures each season brings... knowing and accepting are vastly different.
Sitting in the least windy, sunny spot I can find so I can do this update.
Because -5°C at 9am.... is no joke.

Alrighty, so what do I have for you guys today?
Well, I am struggling with the resin curing in this weather (for those who might like to add to their general knowledge, the *optimum* curing temperature for epoxy resin is around the 30-35°C mark).
And though I try to keep heaters on in the workroom to raise the temperature, I can't leave heaters on when I'm not at home.... so we're heading into the 50 hours curing time instead of 24-48.
Its sucky.
And if I could be home working all the time on Wonder Struck Inc full-time, *maybe* I could do more... but bills need to be paid and any crafty, entrepreneur will probably beable to lecture you on patience and how nothing happens overnight...or even in the first year of full time work on your business.
I do freelance "jack of all trades" jobs as they come up right now, and maybe that will secure my sanity for a bit longer :/

With that said, I continually (CONTINUALLY) find myself beyond grateful for the feedback on our Facebook and Etsy ...because its NOT just about the sales.
Knowing that people found your page, liked what they saw and took that time to join or like or comment, is immensely appreciated.
I cannot be down in the dumps for long with the great people on our pages who go look and click and share.
Existence is far more bearable with validation, no matter what species.

And while on that subject...
Its amazing what a few weeks can do, but I chucked all my HOW TO ideas out the window since the last post... and cannot seem to find something I like enough to share for tomorrow's HOW TO post.
So the search continues.
And though some might suggest I take a HOW TO on personally...let me state how horrid I am at being on camera, even faceless. That will need much bravery and planning from my side.
I do however have a list of people I want to share here on the blog, so if you get an email asking for photos and a profile... ;)

Hmmmm markets.....
Well, as I have said on a number of posts, and if you dont already know, Heatherlyn (The Journeyman) and I talked for years about joining as a store/shop. And this year we became jointly known as Wanderland.
And Wanderland will be doing our next market on 5 September at The Shed Night Market and 6 September at The Medieval Fayre.
We'll then be heading for Walkerville Farmer's Market on the last Saturday of September (the 27th if I can remember).
We really will be upping our game for the markets for the rest of the year and we cannot wait for you to come visit and find something special in our stall.
We're also hoping to have some really great news for you as the remainder of the year progresses, but nothing can be said just yet (shhhhhh).

And to end...

I never really discuss such things... or try to?
Whether its still the corporate worker in me (lingering after all these months) or that I have been imprinted with business nots....
But I will bring it up here, because Winter sometimes brings it around for some, and sometimes people deal with it no , matter the season...

It's hard to be positive, and kickass 24/7. We get down, stomped on, spoken to in less that positive ways... obstacles rise up, and we get tripped up and fall (sometimes destroying our wills completely).
And not just from my own experience, but from knowing that there are many going through whatever you're going through (good and bad) right now.
If we are void of compassion, consideration and kindness, even in our darkest moments, we will not have any of that in our lightest moments... and we will not receive any of it either in return.
I see profile pictures on Wonder Struck Inc's page, most of you strangers that I may never get to meet in person, but the smiles all seem genuine and that passes on to everyone who sees it!
We must know that when we wake up after a hard trial (as broken as we are after it) the next day follows, and the fact that you are in that next day, is proof that you're stronger, harder, and hopefully more understanding.

If nothing else is good today, go outside (in sunshine or moonlight) take in a deep breath and know that you are really great.  You're beautiful. You're strong. And that you are an even more awesome version of yourself than you were before the fall.

Lots of love and gratitude goes out to each and everyone of you, whether I ever meet you face to face or not.

falling all over ...

Those that have tuned in regularly to our blog (which also serves as our "official page") would notice the rather big gap in our updates.

Where do we even begin?

The last few weeks... months, have just been a swirl of custom orders, supply orders, freelance jobs, heartache, bodyaches...
But here we are! The work has continued inbetween all the madness.
So apologies for the blog quiet >.<

To those that have added themselves to our Facebook page, we must first say, thank you for all the messages a few weeks ago on the passing of our beloved Sonny (Son of Man).
Sonny was nearly 30 years old and lived over 10 years with us and was a daily part of our everyday lives.

Though I am very much still very heartsore over his leaving and his permanent absence, work continues.

Planning on getting into gear again with the HOW TO entries for you guys, trying to find some weird and wonderful things for you all, as well as fulfilling previous requests.

;)

So keep a look out for when we notify you via the social media portals.

We have been FILLING the stockbox with *SO MUCH* new stuff. Even some revived old populers.

Its crazy in this workroom, with barely any room to move lately >.<

All worth it though.

We're getting around to doing heaps more promoting of the store, and are working on getting stock into some new and some established shops so that there's a place of brick and mortar to access our madness... ahem. Art.

Heatherlyn (The Journeyman) and I have spent some time deliberating over the market schedule for the rest of Winter, and we really don't feel like it would be of any use getting WANDERLAND out on the road until Spring again.

So lookout for our very rad little stall at the Medieval Fayre on 6 September.

Then we'll be heading out to several other dates again as Spring welcomes us outside again.

So, though we've been really quiet on our blog, we *have* been rather busy otherwise.

Catch all you amazing humans in the next post ;)

Quickly...

Sorry for the huge gap in updates.
Sometimes it really does feel like you've lost the reins...

Been busy with alot of stuff and most of it has nothing to do with Wonder Struck.
Like... Son of Man, my injured horse. His foot hasn't improved much but hasn't gotten worse, its just one of the most difficult places to treat on a horse because they need to be on their feet 90% of the time.
To those who have helped, we have so far, managed to buy 6 whole days worth of extra feed for Sons without affecting Leroy's share of kunchies, so thank you!
You guys have been so great.

Then, Heatherlyn (The Journeyman) and I have been carefully assessing what markets to attend and not to attend over the next couple of months, mostly because of how cold Winter gets here on our side.
We have decided to do more work online, and considering how my to do list has built up, and how I need to get through it, maybe spending more time o that is better anyway until Spring.

We are, however, going to be at a Metal Festival on 15 June. We'll be setting up a table and watching some awesome bands while selling our wares.
We'll post all the details for you on our Facebook page.

We have a few new pieces in stock and we're having so much fun with them, we hope you'll like them.

A HOW TO post will be back up and running this Friday,  in line with winter it'll be a knitting post, so come peek in to see what it is.

Until the next post have a great day ♡

Inbetween madness ...sanity. almost.

Its Monday, but it feels as if we're already midway through the week with the crazies.

Several HOW TO posts will be caught up shortly...in this week.
We'll send out the notification over our social media as per usual to let you know there's updates.

I have been so busy with late night creating, thanks to wicked bouts of sleeplessness, and now...the stock box wont close.
Will hopefully rectify that little problem with the following dates:

31 May ~ Walkerville Farmer's Market (Main Rd, Walkerville) 9:30am to 3pm.
1 - 2 June ~ 25% off Facebook sale
15 June ~ Armageddon Fest (Sundowners, Kliprivier rd, Alberton) from 1pm

Though Heatherlyn (The Journeyman) and myself tend to not stall out much in Winter, we'll probably be adding dates after and inbetween these.
So keep your eyes open.

Well...the coffee mug is empty and the floor is freezing up the entire workroom, that probably means I should get back to work... lates!